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Economy of Panama vs Trinidad and Tobago compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Panama has a GDP of $86.5B compared to $25.6B for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 78/197 and 115/197 by economy size, respectively.

Panama has $49.6B in government debt (57.4% of GDP), compared to $16.5B (64.2% of GDP) in Trinidad and Tobago.

Panama vs Trinidad and Tobago GDP by year

Panama
Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year GDP, current $
Panama Trinidad
2024 $86,523,959,132 $25,633,544,529
2023 $83,812,155,244 $25,036,993,423
2022 $76,479,304,471 $28,341,164,301
2021 $67,396,392,506 $24,222,963,263
2020 $57,059,846,522 $20,888,515,184
2019 $69,778,991,193 $23,477,745,792
2018 $67,316,471,181 $23,883,058,083
2017 $64,327,688,826 $23,830,750,901
2016 $59,760,858,718 $23,624,322,193
2015 $55,767,806,073 $26,841,141,793
2014 $51,427,104,882 $29,474,180,005
2013 $46,949,496,479 $28,560,537,057
2012 $41,595,439,721 $27,147,349,937
2011 $35,687,738,252 $25,433,007,437
2010 $30,231,009,533 $22,157,920,592
2009 $27,791,215,547 $19,172,165,226
2008 $25,721,327,955 $27,871,587,350
2007 $21,717,433,808 $21,641,620,050
2006 $18,659,721,513 $18,369,361,094
2005 $16,623,906,739 $15,982,389,018
2004 $15,100,203,362 $13,280,291,990
2003 $13,603,456,003 $11,305,459,802
2002 $12,800,851,271 $9,008,298,229
2001 $12,252,906,341 $8,824,849,191
2000 $11,966,497,049 $8,154,342,116
1999 $11,660,704,777 $6,808,982,521
1998 $11,019,557,689 $6,043,686,654
1997 $10,058,854,386 $5,737,771,523
1996 $9,197,503,323 $5,759,570,336
1995 $9,573,813,700 $5,329,217,747
1994 $9,365,289,800 $4,947,181,646
1993 $8,782,585,400 $4,669,491,134
1992 $8,042,337,700 $5,439,552,941
1991 $7,074,675,500 $5,307,905,882
1990 $6,433,967,000 $5,068,000,000
1989 $5,918,469,800 $4,323,058,824
1988 $5,902,783,400 $4,496,910,569
1987 $6,827,665,300 $4,797,777,778
1986 $6,797,834,200 $4,794,444,444
1985 $6,541,517,100 $7,375,918,367
1984 $6,183,387,100 $7,757,083,333
1983 $5,923,755,900 $7,763,750,000
1982 $5,769,767,900 $8,140,416,667
1981 $5,222,421,500 $6,992,083,333
1980 $4,614,086,400 $6,235,833,333
1979 $3,704,551,600 $4,602,416,625
1978 $3,244,558,600 $3,562,333,458
1977 $2,738,261,900 $3,138,666,667
1976 $2,588,106,000 $2,500,424,955
1975 $2,435,304,100 $2,442,669,825
1974 $2,188,307,600 $2,042,001,071
1973 $1,913,793,400 $1,308,785,431
1972 $1,673,411,700 $1,083,391,758
1971 $1,523,917,200 $896,765,215
1970 $1,351,006,400 $821,850,000
1969 $1,221,305,700 $779,200,000
1968 $1,112,791,100 $758,899,950
1967 $1,034,376,400 $761,981,912
1966 $928,833,000 $723,739,857
1965 $852,485,300 $736,573,159
1964 $776,137,500 $711,897,520
1963 $722,784,500 $678,239,329
1962 $652,120,900 $619,322,810
1961 $599,026,300 $584,964,621
1960 $537,147,100 $535,673,252

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

GDP per capita in Panama vs Trinidad and Tobago by year

Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Trinidad and Tobago
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Panama Trinidad
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $19,161 $41,369 $18,733 $36,329
2023 $18,797 $39,813 $18,308 $34,623
2022 $17,379 $36,333 $20,751 $32,979
2021 $15,510 $30,933 $17,713 $30,482
2020 $13,291 $27,017 $15,284 $26,731
2019 $16,478 $33,240 $17,213 $29,316
2018 $16,151 $32,464 $17,571 $28,673
2017 $15,695 $33,533 $17,566 $28,484
2016 $14,832 $30,277 $17,449 $28,232
2015 $14,083 $27,245 $19,887 $29,825
2014 $13,213 $24,376 $21,908 $32,027
2013 $12,273 $21,924 $21,305 $31,746
2012 $11,065 $19,473 $20,332 $31,883
2011 $9,662 $17,474 $19,151 $31,078
2010 $8,331 $15,573 $16,815 $30,778
2009 $7,797 $14,766 $14,634 $29,602
2008 $7,348 $14,705 $21,299 $30,807
2007 $6,318 $13,333 $16,607 $29,355
2006 $5,529 $11,685 $14,153 $27,393
2005 $5,018 $10,511 $12,346 $23,536
2004 $4,645 $9,592 $9,871 $20,674
2003 $4,265 $8,801 $8,445 $18,743
2002 $4,091 $8,370 $6,763 $16,141
2001 $3,992 $8,197 $6,657 $14,797
2000 $3,975 $8,097 $6,179 $13,953
1999 $3,950 $7,749 $5,179 $12,812
1998 $3,808 $7,408 $4,613 $11,735
1997 $3,546 $6,895 $4,394 $10,769
1996 $3,308 $6,421 $4,427 $9,883
1995 $3,514 $6,182 $4,115 $9,099
1994 $3,508 $6,073 $3,840 $8,631
1993 $3,358 $5,902 $3,647 $8,209
1992 $3,140 $5,582 $4,277 $8,129
1991 $2,821 $5,150 $4,205 $7,274
1990 $2,620 $4,651 $4,047 $6,878
1989 $2,462 - $3,482 -
1988 $2,509 - $3,656 -
1987 $2,966 - $3,941 -
1986 $3,019 - $3,985 -
1985 $2,972 - $6,212 -
1984 $2,875 - $6,613 -
1983 $2,819 - $6,690 -
1982 $2,811 - $7,091 -
1981 $2,605 - $6,160 -
1980 $2,357 - $5,559 -
1979 $1,938 - $4,155 -
1978 $1,738 - $3,258 -
1977 $1,503 - $2,907 -
1976 $1,457 - $2,345 -
1975 $1,406 - $2,319 -
1974 $1,296 - $1,962 -
1973 $1,164 - $1,273 -
1972 $1,046 - $1,067 -
1971 $979 - $894 -
1970 $893 - $829 -
1969 $830 - $795 -
1968 $778 - $783 -
1967 $745 - $797 -
1966 $689 - $768 -
1965 $651 - $793 -
1964 $611 - $780 -
1963 $587 - $756 -
1962 $546 - $704 -
1961 $516 - $678 -
1960 $477 - $634 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

Panama's GDP per capita is $19,161, ranking 60/197, compared to $18,733 in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 61/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Panama ranks 56th at $41,369, while Trinidad and Tobago ranks 62nd at $36,329.

Economic indicators

Panama Trinidad
Gross domestic product
$86.5B
2024
$25.6B
2024
GDP rank
78/197
2024
115/197
2024
GDP growth
2.75%
2023-2024
2.51%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$19,161
2024
$18,733
2024
GDP per capita rank
60/197
2024
61/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,369
2024
$36,329
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
56/197
2024
62/197
2024
Government debt
$49.6B
2024
$16.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.4%
2024
64.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$10,995
2024
$12,028
2024
Government debt per person rank
51/185
2024
45/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,196
2026
$11,007
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$18.3B
2024
$3.89B
2001
Income share by richest 10%
37.6%
2024
29.9%
1992
Income share by poorest 10%
1.2%
2024
2.1%
1992
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.1%
2024
32.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.69%
2023-2024
0.53%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.5%
2020
Unemployment rate
8.61%
2024
4.01%
2024
Population
4642198
1374840

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Panama
Spending

Debt
Trinidad and Tobago
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Panama Trinidad
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.1% 57.4% 32.3% 64.2%
2023 21.4% 51.2% 33.5% 62.2%
2022 21.3% 52.7% 27.2% 51.3%
2021 23.8% 54.4% 30.3% 58.4%
2020 27.5% 61.5% 36.2% 62.5%
2019 20.6% 39.8% 31.2% 46.2%
2018 21.8% 35.6% 30.2% 41.5%
2017 21.2% 33.6% 30.7% 39.8%
2016 21.3% 33.6% 31.9% 35.4%
2015 21.4% 34.2% 35% 27.1%
2014 23% 34.7% 32.8% 23.5%
2013 23.4% 33.7% 31.3% 21.6%
2012 22.8% 34% 29.5% 21.8%
2011 23.5% 35.6% 29.4% 26.4%
2010 24.2% 38.1% 30.4% 16.8%
2009 22.7% 39.1% 37% 20.7%
2008 22.7% 40% 26.7% 13.5%
2007 21.8% 47.4% 25.7% 16.2%
2006 21.9% 54.7% 31.6% 16.9%
2005 22.4% 59.3% 26.7% 19.8%
2004 23.3% 58.8% 22.5% 24.2%
2003 24.2% 56.5% 22.2% 30.2%
2002 23.5% 57% 24.4% 37%
2001 23.4% 57.8% 24.8% 36.6%
2000 22.8% 53.6% 23.1% 38.9%
1999 23% 55.1% 24.1% 42.2%
1998 23.4% 58.1% 26.9% 42.8%
1997 22.2% 60.2% 27.2% 46.1%
1996 21.5% 65% 27.6% 47%
1995 25.9% 76.6% 26.2% 50.1%
1994 25.2% 78.3% 25.4% 52.6%
1993 33.8% 83.6% 26.9% 58.8%
1992 27.8% 91.2% 28.6% 49.2%
1991 20.9% 103.7% 29.6% 49.5%
1990 41.5% 112.7% 26.9% 47.7%
1989 43% 104.4% 30.9% 51.9%
1988 41.8% 105% 45.3% 65.3%
1987 40.1% 92.2% - -
1986 38.6% 84% - -
1985 39.7% 82.5% - -
1984 44% 82.5% - -
1983 44.6% 86.6% - -
1982 48% 80.9% - -
1981 30.7% 68.7% - -
1980 30.5% 69.4% - -
1979 35% 78.9% - -
1978 27.6% 83.1% - -
1977 16.9% 77.7% - -
1976 15.9% 69.7% - -
1975 15.3% 52.6% - -
1974 15.3% 37.6% - -
1973 14.4% 32.6% - -
1972 15.6% 29.5% - -
1971 15% 26.2% - -
1970 22.4% 25.7% - -
1969 20.5% 23.2% - -
1968 14.2% 18% - -
1967 14.9% 17.8% - -
1966 14% 17.9% - -
1965 13.2% 18.7% - -
1964 14.1% 20% - -
1963 19.1% 22.6% - -
1962 16.4% 19.8% - -
1961 18.9% 20.5% - -
1960 16.6% 21% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

In 2024, Panama's government spending was $20B, accounting for 23.1% of its GDP, while Trinidad and Tobago spent $8.28B, or 32.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.4% in Panama and 64.2% in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 88/185 and 70/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Panama

Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Panama Trinidad
2024 -7.42% -5.24%
2023 -3.9% -1.24%
2022 -3.98% 0.92%
2021 -6.48% -8.1%
2020 -10.2% -12.2%
2019 -2.89% -3.74%
2018 -2.88% -5.89%
2017 -1.92% -10.4%
2016 -1.89% -10.1%
2015 -2.3% -7.56%
2014 -3.21% -4.31%
2013 -2.38% -2.67%
2012 -1.31% -1.26%
2011 -1.96% -0.67%
2010 -1.68% 0.13%
2009 -0.9% -5.42%
2008 0.37% 5.39%
2007 3.12% 3.12%
2006 0.51% 1.56%
2005 -2.21% 2.36%
2004 -4.33% 1.84%
2003 -2.27% 1.8%
2002 -0.96% -0.2%
2001 -0.42% 0.61%
2000 2.05% 0.17%
1999 -0.65% -0.88%
1998 -1.11% -1.8%
1997 1.24% 0.11%
1996 2.48% -0.45%
1995 2.3% 0.17%
1994 2.12% -0.02%
1993 -9.4% 0.23%
1992 -2.62% -2.74%
1991 -0.6% -0.21%
1990 -3.65% -1.27%
1989 -13.6% -4.46%
1988 -13.5% -9.34%
1987 -1.7% -
1986 -1% -
1985 -2.57% -
1984 -7.56% -
1983 -7.62% -
1982 -13.3% -
1981 -6.77% -
1980 -5.17% -
1979 -12.1% -
1978 -5.21% -
1977 -1.61% -
1976 -2.65% -
1975 -0.74% -
1974 -0.6% -
1973 -0.01% -
1972 -1.17% -
1971 -0.51% -
1970 -8.02% -
1969 -7.56% -
1968 -1.5% -
1967 -1.97% -
1966 -1.18% -
1965 -1.17% -
1964 -2.51% -
1963 -6.71% -
1962 -3.01% -
1961 -5.45% -
1960 -3.05% -
1959 -3.79% -
1958 -1.62% -
1957 -0.89% -
1956 -3.69% -
1955 -1.33% -
1954 -0.2% -
1953 -0.55% -
1952 -3.84% -
1951 -2.54% -
1950 -3.89% -
1949 -1% -
1948 -1.21% -
1947 -1.94% -
1946 -3.19% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

In 2024, Panama's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $6.42B, equivalent to 7.42% of GDP. This compares to Trinidad and Tobago's deficit of $1.34B, or 5.24% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, Panama recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Trinidad and Tobago ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Panama posted an annual deficit equal to 2.61% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.21% of GDP for Trinidad and Tobago.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Panama

Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Panama Trinidad
2024 0.69% 0.53%
2023 1.49% 4.63%
2022 2.86% 5.83%
2021 1.63% 2.06%
2020 -1.55% 0.6%
2019 -0.36% 1%
2018 0.76% 1.02%
2017 0.88% 1.88%
2016 0.74% 3.07%
2015 0.14% 4.66%
2014 2.63% 5.68%
2013 4.03% 5.2%
2012 5.7% 9.26%
2011 5.88% 5.11%
2010 3.49% 10.5%
2009 2.41% 6.98%
2008 8.76% 12%
2007 4.17% 7.89%
2006 2.46% 8.33%
2005 2.86% 6.87%
2004 0.47% 3.72%
2003 0.39% 3.81%
2002 1.01% 4.15%
2001 0.31% 5.54%
2000 1.5% 3.56%
1999 1.25% 3.44%
1998 0.56% 5.61%
1997 1.32% 3.63%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Panama has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.02%, compared with 4.88% in Trinidad and Tobago. In 2024, inflation was 0.69% in Panama and 0.53% in Trinidad and Tobago.

Top exports between countries

Panama
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $116M
Textiles & consumer goods $52.2M
Machinery & equipment $45M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12.2M
Metals $7.39M
Raw materials & minerals $1.63M
Miscellaneous $1.52M
Wood & paper products $1.01M
Precious metals & jewellery $735K
Animal & marine products $351K
Trinidad
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $15.3M
Wood & paper products $5.42M
Raw materials & minerals $3.55M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.66M
Machinery & equipment $1.39M
Textiles & consumer goods $584K
Chemicals & pharma $283K
Metals $71K
Animal & marine products $5K
Raw agricultural goods $3K

Balance of trade

Panama Trinidad
Current account balance
$1.67B
2024
$645M
2024
Current account balance ranking
51/190
2024
58/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.93%
2024
+2.52%
2024
Goods imports
$25.1B
2024
$7.54B
2024
Goods exports
$19.1B
2024
$10B
2024
Service imports
$5.75B
2024
$2.71B
2024
Service exports
$18.3B
2024
$1.26B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.3%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.4%
2024
45%
2025

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Panama Trinidad
Economic freedom 64.9 62.4
Economic freedom ranking 70/197 87/197
Property rights 56.7 47.3
Government integrity 37.4 45.5
Judicial effectiveness 49.6 58.8
Tax burden 86.1 76.1
Government spending 85.5 71.1
Fiscal health 51.8 86.3
Business freedom 72.6 67.1
Labor freedom 60.9 57.2
Monetary freedom 78.2 81
Trade freedom 80.2 68.8
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Panama
Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Panama Trinidad
2026 64.9 62.4
2025 65.5 63.6
2024 64.1 60.4
2023 63.8 59.5
2022 65.4 58.8
2021 66.2 59
2020 67.2 58.3
2019 67.2 57
2018 67 57.7
2017 66.3 61.2
2016 64.8 62.9
2015 64.1 64.1
2014 63.4 62.7
2013 62.5 62.3
2012 65.2 64.4
2011 64.9 66.5
2010 64.8 65.7
2009 64.7 68
2008 64.7 69.5
2007 64.6 70.6
2006 65.6 70.4
2005 64.3 71.5
2004 65.3 71.3
2003 68.4 68.8
2002 68.5 70.1
2001 70.6 71.8
2000 71.6 74.5
1999 72.6 72.4
1998 72.6 72
1997 72.4 71.3
1996 71.8 69.2
1995 71.6 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Panama is 64.9, ranking 70/197, compared to 62.4 for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 87/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Panama Trinidad
Services, % of GDP
69.3%
2024
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
34.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.68%
2024
0.78%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$81.3B
2024
$27B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,260
2024
$36,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.86B
2024
$5.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
88/177
2024
94/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.38B
2024
$980M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.24B
2024
-$453M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$865M
2024
$527M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
20%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
33.5%
2024
19%
2023

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.